Songs Without Words (Lieder ohne Worte)

Felix Mendelssohn

Daniel Barenboim

1973

Gil's top choice. Barenboim's 'beautiful touch' and 'smooth sumptuousness... really... works well for these works' because it 'accentuates that kind of peaceful, not as heavy quality.' 'Very well recorded.'

Apple Music — Complete Songs Without Words with additional pieces.

Walter Gieseking

1956

'Wonderfully lyrical, wonderful character and imagination.' A good recording (coupled with his Grieg) that 'really illuminate[s] these pieces as well.'

Apple Music — 17 selected Songs Without Words.

Label: EMI

Ignaz Friedman

Songs Without Words — selections 1930

'Unmissable' selections. Friedman had a 'wonderful musical quality of a romantic soul' married to 'wonderful rhythmic inflection and tone and color.' Sound is old but 'unmissable.'